CGC1D0
UNIT 2
GEOLOGY – THE ROCK CYCLE – ONLINE LAB
INSTRUCTIONS: Use the following website to investigate the different types of rocks and how they
change in the rock cycle.
http://www.learner.org/interactives/rockcycle/index.html
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Complete the worksheet by going through the website. You will need to read through the different sections and to
fill in the blanks. Look for this icon
to complete activities using what you learn.
When all sections are complete – do the “Test Your Skills” section.
Print your results, attach to this handout, and hand it in.
CHAPTER #1 - Read through the lesson on “Types of Rocks” and fill in the blanks.
Types of Rocks
Rocks are not all the same!
The three main types, or classes, of rock are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous
and the differences among them have to do with how they are formed.
Sedimentary
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Sedimentary rocks are formed from particles of ________, __________,
______________ and other fragments of material.
Together, all these particles are called ____________________.
Gradually, the sediment _________________________________ and over a long
period of time hardens into rock.
CHARACTERISTICS:
 ____________________________________________
 ____________________________________________
 ____________________________________________
 ____________________________________________
Examples of this rock type include __________________ and ___________________
Metamorphic

Metamorphic rocks are formed ______________________ of the earth from the
metamorphosis (change) that occurs due to intense heat and pressure (squeezing).
CHARACTERISTICS:
 ____________________________________________
 ____________________________________________
Examples of this rock type include ____________________ and _________________
Igneous
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Igneous rocks are formed when magma (molten rock deep within the earth)
__________________________.
CGC1D0
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UNIT 2
Sometimes the magma cools slowly _____________ the earth, and other times it
erupts onto the surface from volcanoes (in this case, it is called lava) and cools very
quickly.
CHARACTERISTICS:
 ____________________________________________
 ____________________________________________
Examples of this rock type include ____________________ and __________________.
READ THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS & THE PICTURES AT THE
BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
PROCEED TO ‘Start Your Rock Collection” – Click on the different rocks in the
picture and read the descriptions and fill in the chart below.
ROCK COLLECTION CHART – fill in the missing information
Characteristics
MARBLE
Crystals,
white
Formed from
Limestone
Gneiss
Basalt
Obsidian
Conglomerate
Sediment
Process
Heat &
pressure
Location
Lava cools
really quick
Ocean floor
River or beach
Once you have your rock collection & the chart is complete - Proceed to activity
Identify Rock Types
See if you can recognize rock characteristics and types.
 What was your score? ______ / 10
CHAPTER #2 – Read through the lesson on “How Rocks Change” and fill in the blanks below.
Click on the animations.
How Rocks Change
Introduction

All rocks, in fact, change slowly from one type to another, again and again. The
changes form a cycle, called _________________________________
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The way rocks change depends on various processes that are always taking place
__________________ the earth's surface.
Heat & Pressure
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Between ______________________ km below the earth's surface, temperatures
are hot enough to _____________________.
CGC1D0
UNIT 2
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However, before the melting point is reached, a rock can undergo fundamental
changes while in a solid state — ______________________from one type to
another without melting.
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An additional factor that can transform rocks is the pressure caused by tons of
other rocks __________________ on it from above
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This kind of change, which results from both rising temperature and pressure, is
called__________________, and the resulting rock is a
________________________rock.
Melting
 It takes temperatures between _____________________ degrees Celsius to melt a
rock, turning it into a substance called _______________________.
Cooling
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Any rock that forms from the cooling of magma is _____________________.
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When magma rises from deep within the earth and explodes out of a volcano, it is
called _______, and it cools _____________ ON the surface. Rock formed in this
way is called __________________ igneous rock.
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Magma that cools slowly beneath the surface is called ______________ igneous
rock.
Weathering & Erosion
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All objects on the earth's surface are exposed to
__________________________________________________
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Over time, these factors wear objects down and break them apart. The resulting
bits and pieces of material are called sediment.
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Sediment is then __________________ by wind and water, often ending up far
from where it started.
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These processes of breakdown and transport due to exposure to the environment
are called ________________________________________________ and affect
all rocks on the earth's surface.
Compacting & Cementing
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Over time, sediment accumulates in ___________________________________,
eventually building up in ___________ and weighing down the material
underneath.
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This weight presses the sediment particles together, __________________ them.
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Water passing through the spaces in between the particles helps to
_______________ them together even more.
CGC1D0
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UNIT 2
This process of compacting and cementing sediment forms
__________________________.
Transform the Rock
See if you can identify the processes that can change rocks from type to another.
 What was your score = ______ / 18
CHAPTER #3 – Read through the lesson on “The Rock Cycle” and fill in the blanks below.
The Rock Cycle Diagram

The concept of the rock cycle is attributed to _____________________________
(1726—1797), the 18th-century founder of modern geology.
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The main idea is that rocks are __________________________________ from one
type to another and back again, as forces inside the earth bring them closer to the
surface (where they are weathered, eroded, and compacted) and forces on the
earth sink them back down (where they are heated, pressed, and melted)

So the elements that make up rocks are never created or destroyed — instead,
they are constantly being ____________________.
 Explore the diagram by rolling your mouse over the names of the rock
types and clicking on the images to view animations of the different
processes. Study the diagram.
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Write the definitions for the following words using the diagram.
SEDIMENT – _______________________________________________________________________________________
SEDIMENTARY ROCK – ______________________________________________________________________________
IGNEOUS ROCK - ___________________________________________________________________________________
METAMORPHIC ROCK – ______________________________________________________________________________
MAGMA – __________________________________________________________________________________________
Complete the Cycle
See if you can name the different parts of the rock cycle.
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What was your score? _________ / 10
FINAL CHAPTER – TEST YOUR SKILLS!!
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Click on the Test Your Skills button
Enter your full name.
Complete the quiz using your new knowledge.
When you are finished the quiz PRINT your results – attach your printout to this
handout and submit it to the teacher.